On April 21, the Huayang Center for Maritime Cooperation and Ocean Governance (Huayang Center), National Institute for South China Sea Studies (NISCSS), and Hainan Today magazine jointly held the 18th session of the “Huayang Talk” in Haikou. Jayanath Colombage, former Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy and former Sri Lankan Ambassador to Indonesia, delivered a special academic lecture titled “Maritime Security in the Indian Ocean and Its Implications for China.”

Colombage provided a systematic overview and analysis of the maritime security landscape and geostrategic evolution of the Indian Ocean. He focused on the Indian Ocean’s role in global energy transportation and trade, the strategic value of key maritime passages, and changes in the regional security situation amid major-power competition. He also exchanged views with participants on issues including the significance of international law in today’s international system, U.S. submarine attacks on Iranian warships in the Indian Ocean, and the prospects for regional cooperation mechanisms in the Indian Ocean.

Xu Xiaodong, Executive Vice Chairman of the Huayang Center, moderated the academic salon. More than 20 representatives from the Huayang Center, NISCSS, China Institute for Reform and Development (CIRD), Hainan Normal University, Hainan Tropical Ocean University, King & Wood Mallesons, and other institutions attended the event.

During the event, the Center also held an appointment ceremony, at which Xu Xiaodong presented Colombage with a letter of appointment as a part-time research fellow of the Huayang Center.